Is The Bottom Falling Out of the Topless Biz?

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Jan. 12 2009 at 10:37 AM

Categories: Biz

Houston-based and publicly traded Rick's Cabaret bought two local topless joints last year: the former Executive Club on Stemmons Freeway and the late Platinum Club II off Northwest Highway. Dunno how the latter, rebranded Club Onyx and "catering to African-American gentlemen," is doing. But the former's not raking in the singles the way Rick's had expected. Which is why it's going even nudier this week, says the chain in a press release this morning.

We will re-brand our Rick's Cabaret in Dallas as an all-nude XTC Cabaret later this week and we expect a quick and positive impact. Our primary focus at this time is improving revenues and margins, and if we determine that certain clubs do not have the potential for improvement we will sell them or shut them.

That doesn't sound promising, as Andy Partridge has been known to suffer panic attacks before taking the main stage.

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"Dunno how the latter, rebranded Club Onyx and 'catering to African-American gentlemen,' is doing." Ask Schutze. Sounds like his kind of place.
I get it. XTC. Andy Partridge. Maybe something will pop up in the next few days where you can work in Robert Smith or Morrissey. Like finding a Cure for someone's Girlfriend in a Coma. There, see what I did?
Totally.
Totally nude Al?
I am strictly a Baby Dolls man.
My s/o usually goes out to "the shoe show" at least twice a year, since she is in the business of making recommendations to various customers. She went out with some customers to Silver City Saturday night after work and she told me that she thinks strip clubs might not be doing so well, especially Silver City. She was disappointed that they watered down their drinks and that they staff were aloof and inattentive. There were some other complaints but unlike her, I am not in the service industry so I didn't really understand her gripes, just that she wouldn't be recommending that particular "shoe show" to her customers from now on.
Heywood, they're usually not allowed to sell alcohol at all-nude establishments, so the cover charge is probably an attempt to recoup some of the lost booze revenue. The "like sleeve of wizard" comment on deadspin nearly caused a coffee-on-monitor incident here...
"...........and how to make it rain." A good Sam Cooke song works.
Oops.. looks like my link didn't take. Here's the story about coffee, tea, and t*ts: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2009/01/12/coffee_tea_and_controversy/
It's a writers' group to which both Adam and I belong. We meet monthly to discuss our novels, screenplays and how to make it rain.
Robert, as a distinguished writer with skins on the wall, please tell us�.. what is this mysterious "script club" Pacman refers to?
Can someone explain the idea of a 'cover charge' at an all nude review? And can any of you tax experts tell Wilonsky how he can take his 'investigation' of these sites off his IRS bill?
If that ad is any indication of the talent there I understand why they're not making any money.
"I like-a the strip clubs." Nice, Robert. You've earned your pay way early this year.
I blame Pacman. http://deadspin.com/5128315/adam-pacman-jones-i-like+a-the-strip-clubs
Maybe instead of going all-nude, they should start <a href=http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2009/01/12/coffee_tea_and_controversy/>offering coffee and tea.</a>